ISLAMABAD, April 28:  Member National Assembly and central coordinator of Pakistan People’s Party Human Rights Cell, Nafisa Shah, on Saturday said political parties demanding Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani to step down were denying him his fundamental right to a fair trial under Article 10A of the constitution.

Speaking at a press conference, she said appeal against the verdict would be filed within 30 days after receiving the copy of detailed judgment.

MNA Zil-e-Huma, MPA from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Shazia Tamas and PPP leader Sheikh Mansoor were also present at the press conference.

Article 10A allows the prime minister a fair trial, Ms Shah said adding  a trial has many steps, even after sentencing, the convict has the right to appeal.

The US has also announced that they recognise Mr Gilani as Prime Minister “which shows world also agrees with our policy”, she said.

The prime minister’s trial for contempt has neither  ended nor has completed because so far only short order of the court has been released, Ms Shah said, and added the prime minister could not file an appeal unless a full judgment was provided.

She said only after right of review was completed and the prime minister was declared guilty, the disqualification process started for which the speaker was the competent authority. “So we consider that all the parties who are asking for his resignation are denying him his fundamental right under article 10A,” she said.

She said the prime minister was charged with disobeying the court, a civil contempt, and not ridiculing it, which constitutes judicial contempt.

All over the world, contempt proceedings, especially those concerning judicial contempt, are slowly becoming redundant and unpopular with the judges who have given remarkable judgments, she said.

“We hope that the independent judiciary will show restraint and tolerance while invoking the contempt laws,” she said.

While replying to the questions of media, she said that attitude of PPP was strengthening the democracy and it had also put a positive image of the country in the world.

She said: “We have accepted the decision of the court in Waheeda Shah’s case which shows that PPP respects the court”. Besides, decision in NRO case has also been implemented.

The case against Asif Zardari will only be opened once he leaves the seat of president of Pakistan, she said.— A Reporter